As a nurse there are many different challenges and situations that happen that nurses need to deal with. They may give the wrong prescription, say the wrong thing at the wrong time, have a rude patient etc. When these challenges occur nurses respond to them in the best way they can in that exact moment. Once it is over it is ideal that the nurse reflects on what has happened. Did it go as planned, did I follow the right steps, could I have done something differently, what could I have done to improve the outcome etc. Reflecting on situations helps to better an outcome for the situation if it were to happen again.
Description
Coming into university straight from high school and into a program such as nursing was a very big adjustment. It is very exciting and fun, yet very hard and stressful at the same time. An event that was a big eye opener for me was getting my mark back for my first midterm. It was not what I had expected at all and I was very upset about the mark that I had received.
Observation
When I had first seen the mark that I had received I was a bit shocked. It was a lot lower than the grades I was used to receiving in high school and it began to make me worried. I felt upset and began to question if this was the right program choice for me, if I was going to succeed in this program. I really began to doubt myself. It made me very nervous to see what my grades were going to be for my other midterms as well. I thought back to certain questions on the exam and how I answered them and whether it was the best answer I could have given. I was very disappointed in this mark.
Evaluation
After receiving this low mark I realized that I could not study at the last minute and need to better my time management skills. It was upsetting that I received this poor grade yet it also gave me a kick-start. This showed me that I needed to put my all into my work and work very hard to receive the grades that I want and would make me happy. This was the only benefit that came out of getting this poor mark.
Analysis
After going over and thinking back to the exam I began to think about how I had prepared myself for it. I realized that I did not put much effort into studying for this exam. I was side tracked and did not have my full attention focused on studying and doing well. I should have put more effort into my studying and began my studying sooner to better help me in the exam. As I looked back at my studying habits and the amount that I had study to prepare myself, the mark I received showed how little I was prepared for this exam.
Options
To improve my study skills for next time I will organize my time better and plan out what to study. In an article it gives strategies on how to do so such as to prioritize and identify the key tasks that will most effectively contribute to the attainment of the main priorities (Clarke, Weins & Thomposn, 2014). This states that it is better to figure out what the priorities are and study in the order of what will help you achieve your goal. In another article it says that time-management and concentration are necessary for good grades (Fazal, Hussain, Majoka,& Masood, 2012). This shows that to have good grades and to improve my marks I need to focus and concentrate and manage my time efficiently to receive good marks. I need to study better and plan my time out next time I study for an exam.
Action Plan
I now know for my future exams that I would prepare myself a lot differently than I had for the exam that I received a bad mark on. I would begin my studying sooner with a layout of what to study. I will set times for when to study and times to take a break. I will put my all into my work and work very hard to improve my study habits and time management to better my work. I will be more prepared and confident going into my future exams and to therefore hopefully do better and receive better marks.
References
Clarke, A., Weins, K., & Thompson, D. (2014). "I don't have enough time... ": Myths and strategies for improving academic workplace effectiveness. Nursing Outlook,62(4), 231-234. Retrieved November 1, 2014, from CINAHL. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2014.06.002
Fazal, S., Hussain, S., Majoka, M., & Masood, S. (2012). The role of study skills in academic achievement of students: A closer focus on gender. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research,27(1), 37-37. Retrieved November 1, 2014, from Academic One.
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